2012 Ram 1500

Ram Continues to Offer Innovative Features and Products for Truck Customers

June 23, 2011 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - The Ram 1500 offers a variety of models for customers who rely on their trucks for work and play.
'The Ram 1500 lineup has a truck for everyone,' said Fred Diaz, Ram Truck President and CEO and Head of National Sales — Chrysler Group LLC. 'From the value priced Tradesman with a standard V-8 to the loaded Laramie Longhorn, Ram Truck brand will continue to answer our customers' needs with products that hit high marks for durability, innovation and appearance.





Equipped with the HEMI, the 2012 Ram R/T regular-cab 4x2 model with a short bed and 4:10 gears blasts from 0-60 mph in 6.1 seconds.

The 2012 Ram 1500 is offered in Regular Cab, Quad Cab® and Crew Cab models, with three box lengths: 8-foot (Regular Cab), 6-foot-4-inches (Regular Cab and Quad Cab), and 5-foot-7-inches (Ram 1500 Crew Cab). Eleven trim levels are available, each with a unique appearance: Tradesman, Express, Outdoorsman, ST, SLT, Sport, Sport R/T, Lone Star, Big Horn, Laramie and Laramie Longhorn.



Convenience
The 2012 Ram 1500 Crew Cab, Quad Cab and short bed Regular Cab features an available first-in-segment RamBox cargo management system that provides weatherproof, lockable, illuminated and drainable storage compartments integrated into both fender sides for effortless access and convenience. Each box holds up to five cases (120 cans) of 12-ounce beverages.

The RamBox system includes a bed divider/2-foot bed extender for oversize loads and a rail system with sliding, adjustable cleats for infinitely adjustable tie-down capability. The Ram's tailgate features a standard assist feature that reduces the effort needed to raise and close the tailgate.

Another segment-first innovation for the Ram 1500 Crew Cab is a pair of 'store in the floor' bins with removable liners that offer even more versatile storage — large enough for ten 12-ounce beverages and ice. Locking lids are available from Mopar.

There are many other convenient storage locations throughout the Ram 1500 including a large upper glove box, map pockets in door panels and a configurable center console.

Technically sophisticated, yet simple-to-navigate electronic and infotainment choices, includes a media center with a 30-gigabyte hard drive, navigation system and a rear-seat DVD entertainment system available in the Quad Cab and Crew Cab. Also available is segment-first surround-sound audio.

Other premium amenities include first-in-segment heated and ventilated front seats, available heated rear seats, one-touch up/down driver and passenger windows, automatic-on headlamps and dual-zone automatic temperature control.

Craftsmanship
In addition to the exterior, the interior of the 2012 Ram 1500 stands out with an emphasis on craftsmanship expressed in premium interior appointments including six-ring instrumentation, controls, chrome accents, premium seating with bolsters and two-tone upholstery. An automatic-transmission floor shifter, incorporated into a configurable center console, is available. All Ram 1500 interiors feature 'soft-touch' materials with premium fit and finish. Full-width contrasting stitching is offered on soft-touch instrument panels for select models.

On the exterior, the Ram 1500 features an aluminum hood with a large power bulge and a forward-canted grille, imparting a 'head down, ready to charge' attitude, while front and rear bumpers wrap around each body side. The rear bumper on HEMI-equipped models is radiused over chromed dual exhaust tips. Attractive 20-inch wheels are available. Sills are pulled down to cover frame rails for a premium appearance. Badges are three-dimensional, rather than decals, and are designed to stand out.

Safety
On the safety and security front, the Ram 1500 offers more than 30 active and passive safety features, including standard front and rear side-curtain air bags with Enhanced Accident Response System, side seat airbags, knee bolsters, seat belt pretensioners, anti-lock brake system, BeltAlert® system, and electronic stability control; and available adjustable pedals, ParkSense® rear park assist and ParkView® rear back-up camera.

Manufacturing
The Ram 1500 is built in two locations: Quad Cab and Crew Cab 1500 models are built at the Warren (Mich.) Assembly Plant, and Regular Cab models are built at the Saltillo Assembly Plant in Mexico.

• New six-speed automatic transmission calibration with Electronic Range Select (ERS)

• New torque converter with increased efficiency for improved fuel economy

• New steering wheel with cruise control buttons

• New 2012 colors: Black Clear Coat, Deep Cherry Red, Deep Molten Red, Sagebrush, True Blue Pearl and Tequila Sunrise

• Eleven Ram 1500 models, Tradesman, Express, Outdoorsman, ST, SLT, Sport, Sport R/T, Lone Star, Big Horn, Laramie and Laramie Longhorn

• Factory spray-in bed liner available on all models

• Exclusive-in-segment coil-spring, multilink rear suspension fitted to a solid rear axle provides ride and handling capabilities unexpected in a pickup truck

• Bold, powerful, 'get-out-of-the-way' Ram design

• Best-in-class aerodynamics – an estimated .419 Cd

• 5.7-liter HEMI® V-8 provides more horsepower (390 hp), torque (407 lb.-ft.) and 20 mpg

• Shockingly fast performance: 0-60 mph in 6.1 seconds (R/T model)

• Premium seating, soft-touch materials, easy-to-use controls, floor console with shifter, and numerous storage options

• Industry-first RamBox® cargo management system includes versatile, weatherproof, lockable, illuminated and drainable storage bins built into bed rails now available in Quad Cab and short bed Regular Cab

• Pickup bed divider/2-foot bed extender; and cargo rail system with four sliding, adjustable cleats

• RamBox bins hold up to 10 cases of 12-ounce beverages, or other gear for work or leisure

• First-in-segment 'store in the floor' storage bins with removable liners, big enough for ten 12-ounce beverages and ice

• First-in-segment heated and ventilated front seats

• Heated rear seats also available

• First-in-segment surround-sound audio system

• More than 30 safety features, including standard four-wheel anti-lock brake system and electronic stability program with Hill-start Assist and Trailer-sway Control

• Side seat airbags (late availability)

• Únsurpassed powertrain limited warranty: 5 years/100,000 miles

Source - Ram

U.S. News & World Report Names 2011 Ram 1500 Best Full-Size Pickup

Ú.S. News & World Report has named the 2011 Ram 1500 the best full-size pickup. In the magazine's ranking of top vehicle choices, Ram 1500 scored the highest among the eight full-size pickups available to Ú.S. buyers.

The rankings are based on an in-depth analysis by Ú.S. News editors of all published vehicle ratings, reviews and test drives.



Ram drew praise for its interior comfort, class-leading handling and HEMI® V-8 performance.

'The 2011 Ram 1500's smooth, car-like ride, well-designed and comfortable interior and powerful V-8 engines make it a top pick in its class,' said the Ú.S. News editors.



''Reviewers love the Ram 1500's ride, handling, power, and interior, even on less expensive trim levels. The Ram 1500 offers many convenient cargo solutions, such as storage cubbies underneath the rear seats on Crew Cab models. Other models offer the RamBox, lockable storage containers built into the truck bed above the wheel housings.'

The magazine cites other third-party accolades in naming the Ram 1500 the best full-size pickup:

'The Ram 1500's interior is as good as it gets in the pickup segment.' -- Edmunds

'The available V-8s are impressive performers, the chassis is well suited to heavy work and the Ram's cabin is a class leader in terms of design, ergonomics and materials.' -- Edmunds

'Ram earns high marks for ride comfort, creative storage options, and abundant available power. Impressive cabin trappings are a nice bonus as well. Chevy, Ford, and Toyota loyalists would do well to have a look. You may well be won over by this Best Buy.' -- Consumer Guide

'When towing various size trailers on a short loop, the HEMI-powered Ram acted as if nothing was attached to the rear. It just chugged along, getting up to 60 mph with ease, even with a 9,000-pound Air Stream attached on a simple hitch' -- Detroit News

'There are lots of nooks and crannies (more than 40) to hold cell phones, gloves, tools, folders and just about anything else. There are even two floor storage bins that include removable containers for easy cleaning.' -- Detroit News

'Storage spaces abound: under the rear seats; in the doors, the center console, and the dual glove boxes; and within the new drainable, lockable 'RamBox' bins in the bed walls.' -- Car and Driver

About Ram Truck Brand

The Ram Truck brand continues to establish its own identity and clearly define its customer.

As a stand-alone brand, Ram Truck is focused on truck customers – how they use their trucks and what features they'd like to see. Whether it's a family that drives their half-ton Ram 1500 every day, a hard-working Ram Heavy Duty owner or a business that depends on its commercial vehicles without fail, Ram is going to be there for them.

For 2012, the Ram Truck brand increases the capabilities of its hardest-working trucks – the Ram 3500, 4500 and 5500 Chassis Cab trucks – and adds a new Ram Cargo Van, which expands Ram's reach into the Class 1 segment.

Also for 2012, Ram 1500 – the most-awarded Ram truck ever – and Ram 2500 / 3500 Heavy Duty pickups get new safety, fuel efficiency and convenience features.

Ram Truck has emerged as a full-size truck leader by investing substantially in new products, infusing them with great looks, refined interiors, durable engines and features that further enhance their capabilities.

Ram trucks now boast these segment exclusives:
• Coil spring rear suspension on Ram 1500 for best-in-class ride and handling
• Available RamBox® lockable and lighted bedside storage
• In-floor storage on all Ram crew cabs
• The largest cab in the market – Ram HD Mega Cab
• Standard six-speed manual transmission on all diesel models
• 3,600-lb. towing for Class 1 cargo vans

The Chassis Cab trucks provide customers with first-time innovations and features along with new standards of strength, utility and driveability. Building on Ram Truck's leadership in the heavy-duty pickup segment, Ram's commercial-grade work trucks are built on proven frames and chassis, and engineered for maximum uptime, low cost of ownership, optimum performance and enhanced commercial capability.

Equipped with a choice of engines, including the legendary 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 engine or the powerful 6.7-liter Cummins Turbo Diesel, Ram Trucks offer the best powertrains in the industry and are known for their reliability. The 5.7-liter HEMI engine offers an amazing combination of power and fuel economy with 390 horsepower and 20 mpg highway. The Cummins Turbo Diesel-equipped Ram pickup is the only heavy-duty pickup to meet 2012 EPA compliance rules, without the need for a Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) and Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF).

Truck customers – from half-ton to commercial – have a demanding range of needs and require their vehicles to provide high levels of capability. The Ram 1500, 2500, 3500 pickups; 3500, 4500 and 5500 Chassis Cabs and Ram Cargo van are designed to deliver a total package.

Source - Ram

Edmunds.com Names Ram 1500 to 2011 Consumers' Top RatedSM Vehicles List

Edmunds.com today named the Ram 1500 to its 2011 list of Consumers' Top RatedSM vehicles.

In naming it Best Large Light-Duty Truck, Edmunds.com praised the Ram 1500's appealing combination of capability and style.



In naming Ram 1500 a Top Rated vehicle, Edmunds.com cited several examples of positive owner feedback, as well.

'I like the interior features and amenities,' said one owner. 'The ride is very nice. It has plenty of storage. So far, I've been pleased with the fuel economy, being a full-size pickup.'



Edmunds.com's 2011 Consumers' Top Rated vehicles are those that received the highest average ratings from site visitors as of May 31, 2011. Edmunds.com aims to collect real-world feedback from actual owners, with reviewers site required to provide the car or truck's VIN number in order to rate the vehicle. All 2011 vehicle models that received the required minimum number of consumer ratings were eligible. Vehicles are categorized by price using the lowest available base MSRP (i.e., the price of the least expensive trim level, without any options) for each vehicle as of May 31, 2011.

Source - Ram